In the past I have been criticized for not being very positive in my observations relative to our outgoing president "w" and his side-kick "Big Time" Cheney. I must say that my actions never came close to the vitriol and vituperative hate expressed by right-wingers toward probably the best president we had over the last sixty years; Bill Clinton. There are very few reasonable people who wouldn't jump at the chance to have Clinton back in office or trade places with our country's economic circumstances in the 90's with those of today.

My what a difference eight years makes. I can think of very few things I agreed with that "w" did during his time in office but since the most recent election I can honestly say thanks. Without his efforts the results of this election would never have happened. He was the best player on our team. He proved beyond any doubt that the republican party was completely inept at governing and that their ideas are pathetically impotent. With a base of rabid right-wing fundamentalist evangelicals like James Dobson, and others ready to impose their vindictive religion on all Americans what did you expect from a country founded on the personal freedoms of a secular Constitution? Their party is in shambles and they have no respected leaders ready to pick up the pieces. Try starting over with a new party based on the principals of the U.S. Constitution.

Without a nemesis to attack or impeach, as they had in the 90's, they seem to be lost in the wilderness of one-sided FOX news and right-wing talk-show ineptitude. Liberals had so many legitimate reasons to impeach w & cheney but chose not to waste the country's time the way the repus did in 99. This election impeached just about all deserving republicans anyway; without a doubt. The country has spoken. I just wonder if republicans are listening? With "w's" approval ratings the lowest in history I look forward to hearing from bush after he goes back to Crawfish, Texas and tells his one-sided story with Hannity or Rush. "W" was asked to write an autobiography but has declined. He said he didn't know that much about cars. That just about sums it up doesn't it?

So long and thanks again for bringing intelligence and competence back to D.C. It seems appropriate that the racist G.O.P. would be responsible for having a black president have to come in and pick up their trash and clean up all the messes they made. The only good side for Obama is that the only way he has to go is up. Minorities have had to live with arrogant, self-entitled, and elitist conservatives for over 200 years. It's about time things change. And once again, thanks "w;" Mission accomplished!

I am proud to say that it was a privilege to have been able to vote for Barack Obama in this historic election of 2008. I am one of the 33% of whites in the South that have that distinction. Outside the south whites voted for Obama at around 43%. White people did not elect Obama. People of color elected Obama. Our demographics have changed in this country and it will never again be like it was before. Whites can not dictate who is elected soley based on color. He wasn't elected because he was half-white and half-black. It was because he was the most capable and intelligent candidate with the best ideas and policies.

The fact that he was even able to be in a position to become president as the candidate of the Democratic Party in this country is in itself historic. Growing up in Henderson in the fifties and sixties I would have never thought this day would come in my lifetime but it did and it shows that our country has truly matured and we are the nation that our Constitutional founders envisioned. Kentucky has always been about thirty years behind the times culturally and politically but I have hope that our newer generation will not cling to the old racial stereotypes and prejudices of the past.

Race was primary to most people I spoke to in this area about the presidential election even though economics, war and bush incompetence were the primary issues the rest of the country focused on. It's interesting that this is the first time whites and all peoples of color have had the option to vote for someone other than two white men and with one exception, elect someone other than a white, Protestant man.

Can white people (WASP's) put themselves in the position of people of color, women or a minority religion and try to understand the feelings minorities have every four years when there is a presidential election? What if whites could only choose between two black female Jewish candidates every election in their life? How would that make you feel? Which one of these candidates is going to respect who I am and not resent me for my color, sex or religion? Think about what that means to the mindset of the electorate.

Yes, America has changed and for the good. Hopefully we can continue to judge people as Martin Luther King said, "not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Our ugly racial, sexist and religious history is still not totally healed but it has come a long way from the days of old. I am proud to be a part of that change. Our Constitution provides the basis for change and liberty for all through the process of voting. Never take it for granted. That is what makes America the greatest nation on earth.

Well the election is finally over and I for one am glad. The G.O.P. is at a crossroads. They were on top of the world eight years ago, controlling every part of our national government. Now they have nothing. After 911 America was willing to do most anything “w” asked. What happened? They divided us rather than inspiring us the way Obama has. The G.O.P. can either repudiate the old divisive Bush tactics used to split America into the un-Americans and the real-Americans or they can change by accepting reality.
Kentucky, as usual, is behind the times along with the rest of the South in their misunderstanding and prejudice relative to what has transpired over the last 40 years since Nixon’s Southern strategy was initiated. Our backwards-thinking electorate is still vulnerable to the reactionary non-issues that have dictated how we have voted for poor candidates. All a candidate has to do is campaign on guns, God, gays and race then they will be elected.
Your guns are not going to be taken away so just let that fear go. It’s not going to happen. God was in business a long time before our politicians started taking credit for defending her. These same politicians keep trying to make more laws because God wasn’t very effective at eliminating the particular sins they weren’t real fond of. Can’t we all just agree that we and the government have no right to impose our personal religious views and morality on others? It’s none of your business. Those issues are better off left between you and God, not the government. The issue of racism is the elephant in the room that Southern conservatives still won’t let go. Grow up!
Why not let the divisive failed Republican Party die a quiet death and start a new party? I’m an independent liberal and I’d be willing to help. Open your mind. How about a party that is fiscally conservative (not like the present Bush administration, more like Clinton’s) and is socially moderate (one that accepts immigrants and individual religious freedom from government intrusion into private moral, weapons and medical matters)? How does that sound bitter-clingers? Why can’t we all get along? To get out of the hole “w” has dug us we will have to. Like President Obama says, “There is no red America or blue America, We are all Americans.” Try acting like it.